While learning to audit phone and internet bills, I was overwhelmed by many of the terms I needed to understand to audit thoroughly and correctly. Although some of these terms were used across the board, many were bill specific; it was like learning a whole new language – one that I couldn’t even go someplace foreign and fun to use! As part one of what will likely become a series of future blogs, Teltek wanted to do some basic bill education so you, too can start to understand what you’re paying for each month.
First we’ll explain the types of phone calls. Imagine that phone calls can take place on four separate levels: 1) on an international level between countries, 2) on a national level between states, 3) within a state between different counties and 4) one place in a county to another place in the same county. Keeping this example in mind, we’ll explain the different types of phone calls and how it will affect your bill.
International: These are any calls made outside of the US. The secret to saving money here is to block this feature if you’re not using it, or if you do, look closely at competitive rates. While sometimes it may be a minor difference of a penny or two, sometimes you can see 10 or 20 cent savings per minute between companies!
Domestic: Also know as Long Distance. This includes the calls between states, also known in telecomm talk as Interstate or InterLATA calls. Customers may not realize that if they’ve been with the same service provider for an extended period of time, they could be paying double, triple, or more than the going rates for long distance service!
Local: From our example above, these are calls that go from one place in a county to another place in the same county. These are calls that usually start and terminate in the same LATA; therefore, these are call IntraLATA calls.
(Note: while some clients may prefer the “one-stop-shop” method, it may also to be wise to have different carriers for international, long distance, and local calls – basically, go with the best price for each!)
Remote Call Forwarding (RCF) InterLATA: Imagine you have an office in Baltimore City and decide to relocate to Columbia, Maryland (which is in a different calling zone or LATA) but want to keep the same phone number. Remote Call Forwarding allows your customers to call your old number from your Baltimore location but reach you at your new number in Columbia. You may also see this listed with “Additional Arrangement” or “additional call paths”, which simply means that if more than one customer calls your number at the same time, the call will roll over into an empty path instead of hitting a busy signal. While you do have to pay a fee for this service, a potential client who gives up after getting a busy signal on your line and calls your competitor instead is not beneficial.
Directory Assistance: Known to the layperson as 411, customers often don’t realize that they can block this feature. Every time your employee uses Directory Assistance instead of Yellow Pages or Google, they’re costing you $1.50. While this cost may seem minor to some, over time it could add up to something substantial.
CustoPAK (by Verizon): These are additions that customers often opt into not realizing that their VoIP phone system, such as AVAYA IP Office or NEC DSX, already performs these exact services. It generally involves Automatic Call Back, Call Forwarding, Call Hold, Call Transfer, Speed Calling, Three Way Calling, as well as other services. Eliminating this is a quick and easy way to reduce your phone bill; be sure to check any contract obligations that you may have as oftentimes CustoPAK lines are sold in 12, 24, or 36 month increments.
Federal Subscriber Line Charges: These are fees that are generally minor but mandatory (i.e. these fees won’t be removed from your bill).
Verizon Sentry II Enhanced Mtce Svc-Centex: This is another opt-in charge for line maintenance (repairing the phone cabling within your building) that your telecommunications support company, such as Teltek, will care for as part of your maintenance agreement. Why pay double for maintenance when you can manage all of your needs under one roof for half the price?
“Miscellaneous Charges”: Have you ever seen Enhanced Services Billing Inc. (or ESBI) or Transaction Clearing on your phone bill? These are two companies that are allowed to access your bill without your permission. Costing between $15-20 for each, these items can be taken off of your bill with a simple phone call to your provider. (Note: not all providers allow these companies to access your bill.)
The key to keeping telephone and Internet costs low is to follow Smokey Robinson’s (or was it his Mama’s?) advice from his 1960 number one hit, “You Better Shop Around”. Or better yet, hire Teltek, Baltimore’s leading phone system provider, to do the shopping for you! Teltek will audit your phone bill and contact other service providers to see who will provide your company with what you need for the best price. Many times, Teltek is able to provide the client with a better, more functional phone system and still allow the client to pay less per month than they were previously. On top of that, we can also set up internet redundancies to help keep you up and working even with power/data outages! With over 1,200 (and growing!) happy customers in 13 states, you can trust Teltek to provide your business with all of your telecommunication integration needs. Call Teltek today at 1(866) 9-TELTEK or visit our main page by clicking Baltimore’s Phone Company to schedule a free onsite consultation.
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Emily Smith